Rehabilitation for 50 Children with Disabilities

As we have informed before,we are participating in the biggest fundraising season of the year, "Year-End Fundraising Campaign 2017" and "Christmus Giving 2017"organized by GlobalGiving. It started from November 28 and will last till end of December 2017. We hope that your support will continue and we can provide better rehabilitation services to these children.

This time I am going to report about dance therapy for children with disabilities running at Patan CBR Organization. The dance class is in operation twice a week.

Dancing is an effective way of combining physical activity (motoric skills, stability, resistance, muscle strength) with cognitive- and social skills learning and, of course, with cultural knowledge and pure enjoyment of good music and good company.

Children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of physical inactivity due to lack of adjustments to meet their special needs, lack of awareness and resources within professionals and parents working  with CWDs. Furthermore, infrastructure and sports facilities in Patan area are still developing. It’s not that easy to find safe and affordable sports and recreation facilities for anyone – not to even mention children with special needs.

Physical exercise helps to relieve stress, acquire mobility and muscle strength and prevents several health-conditions and obesity. Also, physical exercise can relieve pain and muscle tension, which are unfortunately common among children with (especially physical) disabilities.

Children participating in Patan CBR activities are of course lucky when it comes to their physical needs; the centre has its very own physiotherapy clinic with professional physiotherapist assisting not only the children in Patan CBR but also other clients in the community. Yet however, there is never too much movement and enjoyment!

A mother of child with disability says "My child keeps waiting for the day when they will have dance class". Children learn dancing and when they get to perform in public they feel so happy. Some of the children are regularly performing in different dance programmes.

The dance teacher says "I am very happy to teach dancing to the children with disabilities. Some of the students have intellectual disabilities so they keep forgetting the dance steps. But still they work harder."

Physiotherapist at Patan CBR adds "We warmly welcome and encourage everyone to give dance a go. It is a great hobby and opens up many opportunities for children to enjoy music, express themselves and exercise in a safe, accepting environment".